Re-engagement of Retired Railway Officers as Consultants – Railway Board Notification

The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has recently issued a notification regarding the re-engagement of retired Railway officers as consultants. This comes as a response to the need for experienced officers to fill vacant posts in Zonal Railways and to assist in the smooth functioning of the system due to workforce shortages. Below are the key points of the notification:

Validity and Engagement Terms

The re-engagement of retired Railway officers is part of a broader scheme that is valid until 31st December 2026. The general managers have been given authority to re-engage retired officers who have previously served at Junior Time Scale (JTS – Level 10), Senior Time Scale (STS – Level 11), and Junior Administrative Grade (JAG – Level 12).

Re-engagement Policy Objectives

1. Consultant Engagement: This policy aims to re-engage retired officers as consultants in order to fill vacant positions and improve efficiency. This measure is in response to workforce gaps created by vacancies across various levels.
2. Faculty Re-engagement: The initiative encourages the re-engagement of retired officers as faculty members in Centralized Training Institutes (CTIs). These officers can also fill vacant posts up to Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG – Level 13), providing an opportunity to leverage their expertise in training upcoming talent.

Remuneration and Benefits

The remuneration offered under this scheme is fixed by deducting the Basic Pension from the last pay drawn at the time of retirement. Notably:

• No annual increment: The fixed remuneration will remain unchanged throughout the term.
• No Dearness Allowance (DA) will be provided during the engagement period.
• No entitlement for HRA, residential accommodation, or Transport Allowance, except for travel during official tours, for which TA/DA may be paid as per the officer’s entitlement at the time of retirement.

Duration of Engagement

• The initial period of re-engagement will be for one year, with an option to extend it based on the requirement.
• However, the officer will not be re-engaged beyond 31st December 2026, when the scheme is set to end.
• Officers up to the age of 65 years are eligible for re-engagement under this scheme.

Other Conditions

• The consultant role will not be considered as re-employment, thus retaining the retired status of the officers.
• Officers are permitted 1.5 days of paid leave for every completed month of service during their engagement.
• The consultants are prohibited from holding any significant administrative positions, nor will they be granted disciplinary or financial powers.

Selection Criteria

The suitability of retired officers for re-engagement will be determined based on their Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) from the last five years. A three-member committee appointed by General Managers (GMs) will evaluate and select officers for re-engagement.

Confidentiality and Ethics

As part of the contractual obligations, re-engaged officers must sign a confidentiality agreement with the Indian government. This agreement ensures that no sensitive information related to their duties is shared without proper authorization. Any breach in this clause will result in the officer’s immediate discharge from duties.

See the full notification below

FAQs

1. What is the maximum age limit for re-engagement?
The maximum age limit is 65 years.

2. How long is the re-engagement valid for?
The re-engagement scheme is valid until 31st December 2026.

3. Are consultants eligible for any allowances?
No, consultants will not receive HRA, Dearness Allowance, or residential accommodation. However, they may receive TA/DA for official tours.

4. Can retired officers hold significant administrative positions?
No, re-engaged officers are not permitted to hold administrative positions or be given independent charge of a unit.

5. What is the procedure for selection of officers for re-engagement?
Officers will be selected based on their last five years’ APARs, reviewed by a three-member committee appointed by GMs.

6. Can the term of engagement be extended?
Yes, the initial one-year engagement can be extended based on requirement, but not beyond 31st December 2026.

7. What happens if a re-engaged officer breaches confidentiality?
Any breach of the confidentiality agreement will result in immediate termination of the officer’s engagement.

8. What is the remuneration structure for re-engaged officers?
The remuneration is calculated by deducting the Basic Pension from the last pay drawn at the time of retirement.

9. Will re-engaged officers be entitled to paid leave?
Yes, they are entitled to 1.5 days of paid leave for every completed month of service.

10. Can officers above 65 years of age apply for re-engagement?
No, officers above 65 years of age are not eligible for re-engagement under this scheme.